A family photo of Ron Barge, creator of the children’s show "Buck Shot" in Calgary on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
Longtime children's TV star Ron "Buck Shot" Barge was honored Friday as hundreds of family members, friends, and fans gathered in Calgary for a public memorial. This marked the final tribute to a beloved figure who entertained generations of Calgarians for three decades with his show, "The Buck Shot Show."
For 30 years, Buck Shot, along with his sidekick Benny the Bear, delighted audiences with songs, puppetry, the famous birthday book, and his well-worn cowboy hat. Barge passed away at home last month, just ten days shy of his 88th birthday.
The memorial took place at noon, coinciding with the time "The Buck Shot Show" would air in southern Alberta. Barge’s son, Ken, reflected on the significance of the gathering: "In our heart of hearts, we wouldn't have done it this big if we didn't feel it was right for him, but he was a showman. He was an entertainer. We wanted to give him this final joy, this last hurrah. It’s been a reawakening of who my dad was because it's been many years since he was Buck Shot."
"Buck Shot" became one of Canada’s longest-running children’s shows, even outlasting classics like "Mr. Dressup" and "The Friendly Giant." Barge originally created the show while working as a cameraman and floor director at Calgary’s CFCN. His natural ability to connect with children and elicit heartfelt responses made the show a success.
Ken also shared that his father was the same person off-screen as he was on TV: "He wasn’t pretentious. He never talked down to people. He just talked, and everyone was his friend."
Jimmy Hughes, a longtime Calgary TV weatherman and close friend of Barge, spoke of Buck Shot’s immense popularity: "Buck Shot was and always will be Calgary's most loved and successful television personality. He had the perfect plan—starting with his fan base when they were just four or five years old. Why didn’t I think of that?"
Though "The Buck Shot Show" aired from 1967 to 1997, Barge continued to make special appearances long after the show ended. His daughter, Brenda Barge, expressed her gratitude for the turnout at the memorial: "We're blessed to have everyone here today. It’s a wonderful way to say goodbye to my daddy."
During the service, Benny the Bear, Buck Shot's old guitar, and a Calgary Flames jersey with "Buck Shot" on the back were displayed on stage. Many attendees, including Barge's family, wore Flames jerseys in tribute. "We asked people to wear them because my daddy was a Flames fan from day one," Brenda explained.
A musician from the age of 16, Barge played piano and sang with the Stardells for over 20 years in Calgary. His family remembered how much he loved the show and the character he created. The live nature of the show often led to playful pranks, especially with the birthday book. "The birthday book was the primary target," Ken recalled, "and the crew would sneak in a bad joke or inappropriate picture, forcing my dad to keep a straight face on live TV."
Ron "Buck Shot" Barge’s legacy as a cherished entertainer lives on, fondly remembered by all who grew up watching his show.
